Multi-channel mixing console

ABSTRACT

A battery powered, portable multi-channel audio mixing console is disclosed. The mixing console is configured to be easily held in a user&#39;s hand like a remote control. The console is configured to wirelessly receive, via separate channels, two or more independent stereo input audio signals from separate audio sources such as cellular phones, iPads, iPods, or other computing or media player devices, independently equalize the frequencies of those input signals, independently adjust the volume of those input signals, and then mix those audio signals into a combined output signal. The console further includes user controls that can vary the relative magnitude of the first and second input signals in the combined output signal. The console is further adapted to transmit the combined output signal to one or more speakers via independent channels.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/174,963, titled “MULTI-CHANNEL MIXING CONSOLE” filed Jun. 6, 2016,which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional PatentApplication No. 62/172,031, titled “MULTI-CHANNEL MIXING CONSOLE” andfiled Jun. 5, 2015. The above application is hereby incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety and is to be considered a part of thisspecification.

FIELD

This patent application generally relates to an audio mixer, and morespecifically to portable multi-channel mixing console.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Audio mixers are electronic device for combining (or “mixing”), routing,or changing the loudness, timbre and/or dynamics of audio signals. Themodified signals (voltages or digital samples) are summed to produce acombined output signal.

Conventional mixers are typically bulky, require external power, and arenot readily portable. Moreover, they are often not capable of receiving,processing, and transmitting multiple wireless audio signals.

Accordingly, a need is recognized here for a compact and easily portablewireless audio mixing console that is particularly adapted for friendand family gatherings, travel, and leisure.

SUMMARY

The subject matter of this disclosure is generally directed tomulti-channel audio mixing consoles and more specifically discloses aportable, hand-held, battery powered, wireless, stereo multi-channelaudio mixing console and various aspects or features thereof.

The mixing console comprises a housing that is configured to be easilyheld in a user's hand, like a remote control. It is configured towirelessly receive two or more independent stereo input audio signalsfrom separate audio sources (i.e., separate channels) such as cellularphones, iPads, iPods, or other computing or media player devices,independently tune the frequencies of those input signals, independentlyadjust the relative volume of those input signals, and then mix thoseaudio signals into left and right mixed output signals. The consolefurther includes user controls that can vary the relative magnitude ofthe left and right output signals. The console is further adapted totransmit the mixed signals to one or more speakers via independentchannels.

Each of the foregoing various aspects, together with those set forth inthe claims, described in the drawings and written description providedor otherwise disclosed in this patent document may be combined to formclaims for a device, apparatus, system, methods of manufacture and/oruse in any way disclosed herein without limitation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages, as structure,operation, and manufacture are described below with reference to thedrawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like partsthroughout. Though components in the figures are often illustrated toscale, emphasis of these drawings instead should be placed uponillustrating the principles of the various inventive aspects disclosedherein. Moreover, all illustrations are intended to convey concepts,where relative sizes, shapes and other detailed attributes may beillustrated schematically rather than literally or precisely.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a representative multi-channel mixingconsole in accordance with the teachings herein.

FIG. 1B is a front plan view of the multi-channel mixing consoleillustrated in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a compilation of perspective and plan views of themulti-channel mixing console illustrated in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the Bluetooth communicationconnections between the multi-channel mixing console illustrated in FIG.1A and the input sources (depicted on the right and left) and the outputsources (e.g., the speakers depicted on the top). Also depicted is aheadphone and jack that can be connected directly to the console toallow the user to monitor the output of each channel.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating representative electroniccircuitry components housed within the internal enclosure of themulti-channel mixing console depicted in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 5 is a representative electronic circuitry corresponding to theblock diagram of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-3, the representative multi-channel audiomixing console 100 includes top, bottom, left, right, front, and rearsides 110, 112, 106, 108, 102, 104, respectively, and is comprised of arelatively rigid housing or enclosure 120 that contains the electronics,rechargeable battery, wireless modules and various interfaces. In theillustrated embodiment the housing is sized so that it can be easilyheld in one or two hands of the user.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, the audio mixing console 100 includesmultiple Bluetooth® interfaces configured to receive audio signals frommultiple audio sources, 202, 204 and transmit audio signals to multiplereceivers such as Bluetooth® speakers or amplifiers, 212, 214. In oneembodiment, the audio mixing console 100 is configured to receive twoseparate Bluetooth input signals 402, 404 as well as transmit twoindependent Bluetooth signals 412, 414. Therefore, audio information canbe received from two separate sources and can be streamed to or playedon two separate audio receiving devices (e.g., speakers).

As best illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, the audio mixing console 100 isconfigured to receive two Bluetooth input audio signals 402, 404 fromaudio sources 202, 204, respectively, and transmit two Bluetooth outputaudio signals 412, 414 to speakers 212, 214, respectively. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the audio sources 202, 204 arecellular phones, however they can be any device capable of transmittingaudio signals such as an iPad® or other tablet, iPod® or other digitalmedia player or gaming device. The speakers 212, 214 can be any wirelessspeakers whether part of a larger component system or a stand-alonespeaker, such as for example Braven® 570 Portable Bluetooth Speaker. Oneor more of the receivers may alternatively be a Bluetooth enabledamplifier that is in turn connected to another speaker or audio outputsystem. While the system here illustrated includes two Bluetooth inputsand two Bluetooth outputs, it should also be understood that the systemor console 100 can readily be scaled to allow for any number (e.g., 3,4, 5, 6, etc.) of Bluetooth inputs and outputs.

Buttons 315, 316, 317, 318 (best illustrated in FIG. 1B) are provided toinitiate pairing of the Bluetooth interfaces of the audio mixing console100 with the Bluetooth interfaces of the external devices 202, 204, 212,214, respectively, to establish a Bluetooth connection.

Each of the Bluetooth input audio signals 402, 404 may be tuned with aset of frequency tuners located on the top side 110 of the audio mixingconsole 100. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B, Bluetooth input audio signal402 may be tuned by using a first equalizer 307 having low, mid, andhigh frequency tuners 342, 344, 346, while Bluetooth input audio signal404 may be tuned by using a second equalizer 308 having low, mid, andhigh frequency tuners 352, 354, 356. An equalizer by-pass button 305 isprovided that when depressed by the user routes the audio input signalsaround the frequency tuners.

The audio mixing console 100 also has individual volume controls 334,336, which can adjust the volume of each signal prior to mixing by themixer 309. In the present embodiment, the audio mixing console 100 isconfigured to have the volume control 334 on the left side of the topside corresponding to the volume control of a first Bluetooth audiosignal 402 and the volume control 336 on the right side corresponding tothe volume control of a second Bluetooth audio signal 404.

A sliding adjustable resistor mixer 309, which has a user control, isalso provided to mix or mash the audio signals into left and rightoutput signals that are then independently transmitted to one or morespeaker outputs via the Bluetooth transmitters 310, 312 or transmitteddirectly to a standard output jack. The user control for the mixer 309,which is positioned on the top face 110 near the front side 102, allowsthe user to vary the output magnitude of the mixed signals relative tothe left and right audio lines. Sliding the mixer 309 control toward theleft side 106 will increase the relative magnitude of the mixed signalbeing outputted to the left line and sliding the mixer 309 outputcontrol to the right side 108 will increase the relative magnitude ofthe mixed signal to the right line. Positioning the mixer 309 outputcontrol in the middle will not bias the outputted signals, but rathertransmit the mixed output signals in equal magnitude to both the leftand right lines. The speaker receiving the left and right line signalswill then generate stereo sound in accordance with the magnitude of theleft and right line audio signals outputted from the mixer 309 and fedinto the left and right individual speakers contained in the speakerunit 212 and/or 214. In this way the user can selectively control therelative volume or output of the left and right speaker of a stereospeaker unit 212 and/or 214.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, in another embodiment, slidingadjustable resistor mixer 309 may be configured to adjust volume betweentwo input signals (e.g., the first input signal received from firstaudio source 402 and the second input signal received from second audiosource 404) and mix the two input signals into a single Bluetooth signalthat can be sent to one or more separate speakers via the Bluetoothtransmitters 310, 312 or transmitted directly to a monitor output 360.The mixer 309 allows the user to vary the output magnitude of the firstand second input signals relative to each other. Sliding the mixer 309control toward the left side 106 will increase the relative magnitude ofthe first input signal and sliding the mixer 309 control to the rightside 108 will increase the relative magnitude of the second inputsignal. Positioning the mixer 309 output control in the middle will notbias the outputted signals, but rather transmit the first and secondinput signals in equal magnitude. The speaker or speakers receiving theBluetooth signal(s) will then generate sound in accordance with therelative magnitude of the first and second input signals as outputtedfrom the mixer 309. In this way the user can crossfade between two inputsignals with one or more speaker units 212 and/or 214. Users can playaudio from multiple audio sources 402, 404 through a single speaker 212without needing to repeatedly pair and unpair devices.

As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in another embodiment, the multi-channelaudio mixing console may process the first signal received from firstexternal audio device 202 entirely separately from the second signalreceived from second external audio device 204 until the two signals arecombined by the mixer 309. The first signal received at the firstBluetooth input received 301 from first external audio device 202(either through Bluetooth input signal 402 or analog input signal 313)is modified by first equalizer 307 and first volume control 334. Thesecond signal received at the second Bluetooth input received 303 fromfirst external audio device 204 (either through Bluetooth input signal404 or analog input signal 314) is modified by second equalizer 308 andsecond volume control 336. After the first and second signal areindependently equalized and volume adjusted, the first signal from thefirst external audio device 202 and the second signal from the secondexternal audio device 204 are combined by mixer 309, producing acombined audio signal. The same combined audio signal may then be routedto Bluetooth transmitter A 310, Bluetooth transmitter B 312, and lineoutput 311. In this embodiment, first speaker 212 and second speaker 214both generate audio based on the same combined audio signal.

A headphone-out switch button 304 is provided for listening betweenaudio sources 202, 204. In another embodiment, as best illustrated inFIG. 5, headphone-out switch 304 may switch the signal to monitor output360 between audio source 202 and audio source 204.

Referring in more detail to FIGS. 4-5 for further descriptions of theaudio mixing console 100. Specifically, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of arepresentative circuit 300 housed within the internal enclosure of theaudio mixing console 100 depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B. FIG. 5 is arepresentative circuit schematic diagram corresponding to FIG. 4.

The audio mixing console 100 has two audio input receivers 301, 303.Each of the audio input channels has two input sources. The first audioinput receiver 301 can receive audio input from a first Bluetooth source402 or a first analog line input source 313. The second audio inputreceiver 303 can receive audio input from a second Bluetooth source 404or a second analog line input source 314.

In order for the audio input receivers 301, 303 to receive audio inputsfrom Bluetooth sources 402, 404, the audio input receivers 301, 303 haveto be paired with external devices 202, 204 with Bluetooth communicationcapability. The user can press the pair button 315 to pair the externalaudio device 202 with the first audio input receiver 301. Similarly, theuser can press the pair button 316 to pair the external audio device 204with the second audio input receiver 303.

In the present embodiment, an analog source present on any of the lineinputs 313, 314 has priority over the Bluetooth sources 402, 404connected to the same receiver. It should be understood however that thecircuitry could be configured to prioritize the Bluetooth sources 402,404.

The monitor output 360 is configured to allow the user to monitor theoutputs from audio input receivers 301, 303 (i.e., each of thechannels). Button 304 selects which channel is being monitored. Theoutputs from audio input receivers 301, 303 can be monitored frommonitor output 360 and be heard by a user through a suitable speakerdevice such as a headphone 220. The volume of monitor output 360 can becontrolled by volume buttons 319.

Two equalizers 307, 308 are configured to allow the user to applyindividual equalization effects to the output of each of the receivers301, 303. In the present embodiment, analog knobs 342, 344, 346 are usedto tune the low, middle and high frequencies, respectively, for theoutput of the first audio input receiver 301. Similarly, analog knobs352, 354, 356 are used to tune the low, middle and high frequencies,respectively, for the output of the second audio input receiver 303. Theoutputs from equalizers 307, 308 become the inputs to the mixer 309.

The equalization effects can be bypassed if desired by depressing button305, which routes the outputs of receivers 301, 303 around theirrespective equalizers 307, 308 and directly to their respective volumecontrol 334, 336. For example, when the EQ button 305 is released, theuser set equalization effects will be applied to the signals, while whenthe EQ button 305 is pressed, the output of each of the receivers 301,303 will bypass the equalizers 307, 308 and be sent directly torespective volume controls 334, 336 that feed and then passed to mixer309. The volume controls 334, 336 independently adjust the volume ofeach source channel before the source channels are mixed.

The EQ button 305 can be made of transparent or semi-transparentmaterial so that when the button 305 is released, it can also trigger alight source (e.g., LED) under the button to illuminate the button 305for indication purpose.

The first volume control 334 is configured to control the volume of theoutput audio signals (left and right) from the first equalizer 307 (orfrom the first receiver 301 if the equalization effect is cancelled)while the second volume control 336 is configured to control the volumeof the output audio signals (left and right) from the second equalizer308 (or from the second receiver 303 if the equalization effect iscancelled).

Output signals from the first volume control 334 and the second volumecontrol 336 can be mixed by the mixer 309. The mixed signals are thenrouted to the first and second transmitters 310, 312. The mixed signalcan also be sent to a line output 311. The user control in the form of aslider, allows the user to control the relative magnitude of the leftand right lines of the mixed signals as previously described above. Theslider mixer 309 may instead allow a user to control the relativemagnitude of the first input and second input as previously describedabove and illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

In order for the transmitters 310, 312 to transmit Bluetooth signals412, 414 to external Bluetooth audio receivers (e.g., speakers 212,214), the transmitter 310, 312 have to be paired with the external audiosinks with Bluetooth communication capability. The user can press thepair button 317 to pair the external audio device 212 with the firsttransmitter 310. Similarly, the user can press the pair button 318 topair the external audio device 214 with the second transmitter 312.

The system can have the option of being powered by a USB 5V input 350 orfor greater portability it may be powered by the internal rechargeablebattery 351 contained within the Power System 306. System power can beturned on and off via an external user accessible Power Switch 320.

The diagrams in FIGS. 4 and 5 are only representative of an implementingcircuit. Other circuits may also be designed to effectuate the same orsimilar user functionality.

The audio mixing console 100 described herein can also be hard-wired tonon-Bluetooth speakers or audio sources using multiple line-in andline-out jacks. In one embodiment, when Bluetooth is not available,there are two audio inputs as well as an audio output to a speaker, oran output to headphones.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with specificexamples and various embodiments, it should be readily understood bythose skilled in the art that many modifications and adaptations of theinvention described herein are possible without departure from thespirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter. Thus, it is tobe clearly understood that this application is made only by way ofexample and not as a limitation on the scope of the invention claimedbelow. The description is intended to cover any variations, uses oradaptation of the invention following, in general, the principles of theinvention, and including such departures from the present disclosure ascome within the known and customary practice within the art to which theinvention pertains.

1. A multi-channel audio mixing console comprising: a housing; arechargeable battery contained within the housing; an electronic circuitcontained within the housing and configured to wirelessly receive afirst input audio signal from a first audio source and to wirelesslyreceive a second input audio signal from a second audio source; a firstvolume user interface configured to adjust the volume of the first inputaudio signal to generate a first volume adjusted audio signal; a secondvolume user interface configured to adjust the volume of the secondinput audio signal to generate a second volume adjusted audio signal; afirst equalizer user interface configured to equalize the first volumeadjusted audio signal to generate a first equalized audio signal; asecond equalizer user interface configured to equalize the second volumeadjusted audio signal to generate a second equalized audio signal; amixer configured to combine the first equalized audio signal and thesecond equalized audio signal to generate a combined audio signal, themixer comprising a mixer user interface configured to adjust therelative magnitude of the first equalized audio signal and the secondequalized audio signal in the combined audio signal; and wherein theelectronic circuit is further configured to wirelessly transmit thecombined audio signal to an external device.
 2. The multi-channel mixingconsole of claim 1, wherein the first audio source is a separate devicefrom the second audio source.
 3. The multi-channel mixing console ofclaim 1, wherein the electronic circuit wirelessly receives the firstinput audio signal and the second input audio signal and wirelesslytransmits the combined audio signal via Bluetooth.
 4. The multi-channelmixing console of claim 3, wherein the external device is an externalspeaker.
 5. The multi-channel mixing console of claim 1, wherein theelectronic circuit comprises at least 3 Bluetooth modules, eachBluetooth module being configured to maintain a separate, simultaneousBluetooth connection.
 6. The multi-channel mixing console of claim 5,wherein the electronic circuit is configured to maintain separate,simultaneous Bluetooth connections with the first audio source, thesecond audio source, and the external device.
 7. The multi-channelmixing console of claim 5, wherein the electronic circuit is configuredto maintain separate, simultaneous Bluetooth connections with at leasttwo external speakers.
 8. A portable hand-held, wireless, multi-channelaudio mixing console adapted to receive at least two independentwireless input audio signals, mixing said input audio signals, andtransmit a combined output audio signal, the mixing console comprising:a housing having a top surface; a rechargeable battery contained withinthe housing; an electronic circuit contained within the housing andconfigured to wirelessly receive at least two independent input audiosignals and to combine the two independent input audio signals togenerate and wirelessly transmit a combined output audio signal; atleast one volume control on the top surface, each volume control beingconfigured to adjust the volume of one of the two independent inputaudio signals; and a mixer control on the top surface, the mixer controlbeing configured to adjust the relative magnitude of the first inputaudio signal and the second input audio signal in the combined outputaudio signal.
 9. The portable multi-channel mixing console of claim 8,wherein the independent input audio signals are Bluetooth signals. 10.The portable multi-channel mixing console of claim 8, wherein theindependent input audio signals are received from two separate audiosources.
 11. The portable multi-channel mixing console of claim 8,wherein the combined audio signal is transmitted to an external speaker.12. The portable multi-channel mixing console of claim 11, wherein thetransmission to the external speaker is via a Bluetooth connection. 13.The portable multi-channel mixing console of claim 12, wherein theportable multi-channel mixing console is capable of simultaneouslytransmitting to more than one external speakers with more than oneseparate Bluetooth connection.
 14. The portable multi-channel mixingconsole of claim 8, wherein the input audio signals are Bluetoothsignals.
 15. The portable multi-channel mixing console of claim 8,wherein the mixer control is a slider bar.
 16. The portablemulti-channel mixing console of claim 8, further comprising at least oneequalizer on the top surface, each equalizer being configured toequalize one of the two independent wireless input audio signals. 17.The portable multi-channel mixing console of claim 16, wherein eachequalizer comprises a plurality of tuners.
 18. The portablemulti-channel mixing console of claim 16, wherein the volume controladjusts the volume of the input audio signal before the equalizerequalizes the input audio signal.
 19. The portable multi-channel mixingconsole of claim 16, wherein the volume control adjusts the volume ofthe input audio signal and the equalizer equalizes the input audiosignal before the mixer control adjusts the relative magnitude of theinput audio signals.
 20. The portable multi-channel mixing console ofclaim 16 further comprising a button configured to route the input audiosignal in a way to bypass the equalizer.